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Is the Uranium Boom Close to an End?Boris Sobolev Uranium Sector - Still the Best Performer A spike in activity often comes at the top of a bull market cycle or before a long consolidation period in prices. From this point of view, there seems to be a number of warning signs emerging in the uranium sector:
 Does the recent hyperactivity mean the beginning of the end for the uranium bull market? Utilities Paying $135/lb of U3O8. How Much are Uranium Miners Willing to Pay? Let us look at the recent M&A activity in the uranium sector. The total value of the four biggest deals in 2007 is $8.1 billion.
The value placed by Uranium One, Paladin and Areva on the purchased projects varies based on a number of factors including: resource quality, proximity to production, size of production, geographical location, permitting and environmental issues, required capital expenditures, and other economic factors and synergies. Based on these factors, the underground uranium resources are valued between 5% and 15% of the uranium spot price. How does this compare to the gold sector acquisition activity? Greed or Fear? Looking at a number of recent acquisitions of gold mining companies, we found that dollars paid for the underground gold ounces varies from as little as 14% of gold price to as much as 44%. It appears that on average, gold mining companies are paying more for gold resources in relative terms than uranium companies are willing to pay for the uranium resources. This is despite the fact that uranium mining often requires less capital especially with a more widespread application of In Situ Recovery process (ISR). One explanation for the premium differences in the uranium sector compared to the gold sector is that the acquirers are not as bullish on the price of uranium as they are on gold. It appears that they are using a very conservative long term U3O8 price of around $75/lb in their internal calculations. What does this all mean? We believe there is a lot of fear in the uranium sector. As for greed, there is some, especially in the early stage exploration companies, but this is not a cause for alarm for the entire sector. This also means that the uranium industry has not yet entered into a manic blow-off phase of the bull market. Easy money may be over in the sector, but there is still a lot to be made by carefully selecting the stocks that will be the next acquisition targets. There are only a limited number of companies that have established resources and defined production plans. Some of them aspire to become significant players in the sector but have insufficient internal growth prospects to meet their objectives. Understanding this, they will look to make acquisitions. Cameco Corp (CCJ), the biggest uranium producer in the world has not made any acquisitions thus far but definitely will in a not-too-distant future. We are certain that selective buying in the sector will continue to bring investors handsome profits. Resource Stock Guide (RSG) provides a free dynamic database for over 120 gold, silver and uranium companies. Stock, metal and currency prices are updated daily; company resources, costs, finances, etc. are updated within 2 to 5 business days after their release. Premium Services including the Newsletter are also available. Jul 6, 2007 Disclaimer: The above information in this article pertaining to investing, stocks, securities must be understood as information provided and not investment advice. The information provided by Resource Stock Guide is obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. Resource Stock Guide advises all readers to seek advice from a registered professional securities representative before deciding to trade in stocks featured on Resource Stock Guide or any stocks for that matter. All statements and expressions of the companies featured are not meant to be a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Copyright © 2006-2007 Resource Stock Guide, All rights reserved. 321gold Ltd |
